The 14 most beautiful villages in the Spanish Basque Country

What are the most beautiful villages in the Spanish Basque Country? Discover the hidden pearls of the Euskadi region without further delay.

When we think of the Spanish Basque Country, we think of the unique hiding place of Basque culture, the mountains that dominate the Atlantic Ocean, or why not the wild ponies. But big cities like Bilbao or San Sebastian also comes to mind. Their museums, beautiful beaches and tapas evenings attract many visitors every year!

However, if you want to dive into the Basque soul, you will have to go to the discovery of its villages, often unknown. In this article we give you some leads to choose from the most beautiful villages in the Spanish Basque Country!

1. Lekeitio

What makes Lekeitio one of the most beautiful villages in the Spanish Basque Country is above all its geographical location. Located between sea and mountain, it offers very nice views of the surrounding nature. Enjoy your stay to take a little coastal ride.

For this, join the beautiful Santa Catalina lighthouse or San Nicolas Island with low tide. But Lekeitio also contains monuments that are worth the visit, such as the Basilica of the Asunción de Santa María.

2. Elciego

Visit Rioja Alavesa, a wine region that combines vineyards, wineries and charming villages. Elciego is one of them! Here, the wine occupies a central place and you can visit prestigious cellars. Difficult to miss bodega Riscal brand, whose architecture will not fail to surprise you!

However, Elciego is also visiting for its historical heritage. Churches and hermitages detache themselves on the mountainous landscape.

3. Balmaseda

Balmaseda was the first city founded on the historical territory of Biscaye. This former commercial square has preserved its medieval heritage: the Romanesque bridge of the Muza, the St. Sebastian hermitage, the monastery of Santa-Clara, etc.

You will also find a museum that retraces the history of the region. Traditions still vibrate in Balmaseda, which enjoys a quiet and over-year atmosphere... One of the most beautiful villages in the Spanish Basque Country!

4. Elantxobe

It is by a road to the superb panorama that you reach Elantxobe, one of the most beautiful villages in the Spanish Basque Country. Paisible, discreet and colourful, this coastal village offers a very nice stop during your stay in Euskadi.

Spread on its fishing port and climb the alleys to admire the view on the coast. Finally, make a detour to the most unusual monument in the region: a bus stop! The streets being too narrow, the engineers designed a hub to turn around... We advise the curious to take a look.

5. Labraza

Located in the wine region of Rioja Alavesa, the monumental complex of Labraza is a former medieval fortified hamlet. It would be one of the best preserved bastides in the world! Located on a hill, it offers a beautiful view of the region.

Its inexpugnable walls are dug from a multitude of small houses. The visit offers a real journey in time!

6. Mundaka

Mundaka is famous all over the world for its left wave, one of the longest in the world! But this small fishing village does not attract only surfers. In fact, despite his fame, he has preserved all his authenticity, with his pretty typical houses that encircle the fishing port.

It is that Mundaka has always played a key role in Basque history and mythology. His name would come from Latin munda aqua , which means clean water. It would have been given by the crew of a Scottish princess in exile, perhaps the first inhabitants of the place...

7. Salinas de Añana

Visiting Salinas de Añana is 6,500 years back in time. The Salt Valley was one of the oldest salt factories in the world! This unique salt came from a sea that disappeared more than two hundred million years ago... A unique historical and cultural landscape, which you must not miss visiting.

8. Getaria

Among the most beautiful villages in the Spanish Basque Country, Getaria is recognizable by far thanks to the silhouette del ratón de Getaria . A former inhabited island, this small hill now houses a natural park with rich biodiversity.

But visiting Getaria is above all discovering its charming fishing port, which hides an important part of Basque history... It was here that lived Elkano , the first browser to tour the world, at the beginning of the sixteenth century. Getaria is also the birthplace of Balenciaga, and fashion lovers can visit its museum.

9. Laguardia

The capital of the wine region of Alava, Laguardia is a medieval town that is among the most beautiful villages in the Spanish Basque Country. It offers a superb view of the fertile Ebro valley, dotted with vineyards and prestigious cellars.

Pass the doors of Laguardia to discover its ramparts and alleys. They contain beautiful medieval houses and a Romanesque church. It is Santa María de los Reyes, which is worth a visit to its magnificent polychrome portal, Gothic art work of the 14th century.

10. Zumaia

Zumaia enjoys an exceptional situation on one of the most beautiful slices of the Basque coast. Its beaches, surrounded by green mountains, offer languid landscapes along the cliff. Don’t miss the chapel of San Telmo, dedicated to the patron saint of the sailors, who dominates the Atlantic.

Finally, the old town of Zumaia is not lacking in charm. She's very lively in the middle of the season! All this diversity makes it one of the beautiful villages of the Spanish Basque Country.

11. Ea

If you are looking for an unusual visit among the most beautiful villages in the Spanish Basque Country, go to Ea. First, Ea is surrounded by an exceptional landscape. You will have the opportunity to take your eyes full of it by walking through its beautiful beaches and beautiful coves.

But it is also its architectural heritage that gives it all its cachet. In addition to some interesting monuments, Ea is crossed by canals. They give him airs of Basque Venice!

12. Labastida

Visit again in the wine region of Rioja Alavesa to discover Labastida. Wine and history lovers will be able to mix wine tastings and wine tours to discover its centuries-old architectural heritage.

Its narrow alleys, dotted with beautiful dwellings with wide gates, offer many opportunities to marvel. Not to mention the magnificent view on the plain of Ebre and Mount Toloño. Indeed, Labastida is located on a rocky piton.

13. Pasai Donibane (Pasajes de San Juan)

This fishing village is located in Pasaia. This is an unusual place where small stone houses overlook the harbour. They take areas of floating houses, while adopting the Basque style with their multicolored doves. Take the narrow alleys, which sometimes plunge into the water, and let yourself be marvelled.

It is that we do not expect to find such a historical heritage in this industrial region! Don't miss the small, very lively place, which houses good restaurants. Don't stop there! By continuing your path, you lead on a walk that offers extraordinary views on the coast.

14. Mutriku

Discover Mutriku, another fishing village in this list of the most beautiful villages in the Spanish Basque Country! Walking through its steep streets, we can quickly guess its historical past. Indeed, even if the village has industrial influences, there are many medieval buildings and inhabited caves.

One of the most iconic monuments is the Fish Hall, which faces the fishing port. She used to host the Marins Guild. Finally, Mutriku enjoys one of the most beautiful bays on the Basque coast. At low tide, you can walk on las Sietes playas , which extends from Gipuzkoa to Biscaye.